I'm a 50-something American woman. Even though I've always loved to write, I've put it aside for some time. Now as I contemplate my nearly empty nest, dusting off my writing chops seems to be a good move.

Muggle-born Calla thinks she is prepared for life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After all, her parents both went to boarding school, so what could be so different?

Calla soon finds out that expectations are never the same as reality, and learns more than she ever thought she would about loyalty, friendship, good and evil.

A/N: This story takes place during the Next Generation era. JKR’s characters have small parts throughout, but are not the main characters. I’m continuing in the alternate universe I began in Snape’s Son.

The rating for most of the story is 3-5th years, with warnings for the end chapters.

Summary: The past: some cling to it, others deny it; some learn from its lessons, while others are locked in the cycle of their mistakes. How far would a man be willing to go to move beyond his past and ensure that it will not define him? Severus Snape is about to learn.